The 2025 NBA Finals are reaching a boiling point, and all eyes are on Indiana this Thursday night. The Oklahoma City Thunder have made the journey to Indianapolis with a championship within arm’s reach, leading the Finals series 3-2. But if there’s one thing this postseason has proven, it’s that no lead is ever truly safe.
Let’s just say—Game 6 isn’t going to be for the faint of heart.
🌩️ Thunder One Win Away from the Crown
The Thunder are riding high after an electric Game 5 performance that might go down as a defining moment for their young core. Jalen Williams exploded for a career-high 40 points, completely lighting up the scoreboard and the crowd. Right beside him was the ever-reliable Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who posted a slick 31 points and 10 assists—making the duo the deadliest 1-2 punch of the Finals so far.
This OKC squad has grown fast, matured faster, and looks battle-tested. They’ve been pushing all the right buttons on both ends of the court, with Lu Dort locking down wings, and Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein doing the dirty work inside.
🛑 Trouble Brewing for Indiana?
The Pacers, on the other hand, find themselves skating on very thin ice. Game 5 wasn’t just a loss—it was a red flag. Their floor general, Tyrese Haliburton, was almost invisible, logging just 4 points and 6 assists before limping off with a calf strain. That injury has put his Game 6 availability in serious doubt.
And let’s be honest—without Haliburton steering the offense, Indiana’s ability to force a Game 7 takes a serious hit. That’s not to say the Pacers don’t have depth. Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and Andrew Nembhard have all had moments. But this is the Finals, and stars make the difference.
🏀 The Game So Far: Live Highlights Recap
We’ve been following the game moment-by-moment, and it's shaping up to be a jaw-dropper. Here’s how things unfolded so far:
🔥 3rd Quarter (7:15 left): Pacers 70, Thunder 42
Sheppard gets loose in transition and scores a breezy layup, forcing OKC to burn another timeout. Notably, the Thunder still haven’t scored in the quarter. That’s... yikes.
💥 Halftime: Pacers 64, Thunder 42
Pascal Siakam nails a spinning jumper right over Alex Caruso as the buzzer sounds. The crowd in Indianapolis is on fire. With a 22-point halftime lead, Indiana has completely flipped the narrative. A Game 7 suddenly seems real.
⚔️ 2nd Quarter (7:20 left): Pacers 41, Thunder 33
After an early OKC push, Indiana steadied the ship. Bradley cleaned up the glass for a second-chance layup just after Caruso got called for an offensive foul. Momentum? Swinging back.
⏱️ End of 1st Quarter: Pacers 28, Thunder 25
The Thunder cooled off midway through the first, but SGA kept them afloat with some tough buckets. The Pacers, meanwhile, hit a few ridiculous shots from deep. OKC might be trailing, but they're still in it. Barely.
⏳ 1st Quarter (4:15 left): Pacers 24, Thunder 17
Talk about a role reversal. After a dominant 10-2 start by OKC, the Pacers punched right back. Haliburton knocked down a smooth triple, and it was enough for Coach Daigneault to call for a breather.
🧢 Who's Starting?
Both teams rolled out familiar lineups for the crucial matchup:
Thunder:
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
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Lu Dort
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Jalen Williams
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Chet Holmgren
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Isaiah Hartenstein
Pacers:
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Tyrese Haliburton
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Andrew Nembhard
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Aaron Nesmith
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Pascal Siakam
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Myles Turner
That starting five might look very different if Haliburton doesn’t return from that calf issue.
📺 How to Watch
For those tuning in from home (or streaming on the go), here’s where to catch the action:
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TV Channel: ABC
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Start Time: 7:30 p.m. CT
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Live Stream: Fubo (with a free trial available)
So, whether you're a hardcore Thunder lifer or a proud member of Pacers Nation, there’s no excuse to miss this one.
🔮 What’s at Stake?
For Oklahoma City, this is a chance to close the door on a dream run and bring a championship back to OKC. A win would mark the team’s first title since moving from Seattle—a full-circle moment for a franchise once known for its youth and potential, now defined by poise and execution.
For Indiana, the goal is simple: survive and advance. Game 6 is their season. They’ve fought too hard to go quietly, and with the home crowd behind them, anything is possible.
🚨 Key Storylines to Watch
Here’s what fans and analysts are keeping an eye on:
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Haliburton’s Injury: Will he play, and if so, can he move well enough to make a difference?
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SGA & J-Dub Chemistry: Can the dynamic duo carry the scoring load again?
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Pacers’ Role Players: Can Siakam and Turner keep stepping up if Haliburton is out?
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Thunder’s Mental Toughness: Will they close with killer instinct or blink under pressure?
🏆 Could This Be It?
The Thunder have been slowly building toward this moment. From stockpiling draft picks to trusting young players to now being on the edge of a championship—it’s been a long road. If they finish the job in Game 6, it will cement the franchise’s rebuild as one of the smartest in modern NBA history.
But if the Pacers push this to Game 7, all bets are off. In a one-game scenario, especially back in Oklahoma, anything could happen.
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